“Preacher’s Daughter” came in deadset on proving her win over Ronda Rousey was no fluke, while “Cupcake” sought the upset, which would put somewhat of a dent in a potential Holm vs. Rousey title rematch.

Holm started off round one implementing her boxing prowess, while maintaining distance. The Jackson-Wink MMA representative uncorked some kicks, which made life difficult for Tate.

Round two saw Tate bring the fight to Holm as she landed a takedown, followed by some ground and pound. The Las Vegas-based combatant landed several hard elbows and shots to the body. Then, towards the end of the frame, Tate nearly choked out Holm after she found the latter’s back.

Holm turned the tide back in her favor in rounds three and four, utilizing crisp boxing technique she honed for years in the squared circle, while also stuffing multiple takedowns by Tate. She also threw in some powerful straight lefts, oblique kicks and beautiful combinations for good measure.

However, Tate still had plenty of energy left to mount a potential comeback … which is exactly what happened in the fifth and final frame as she fought through the defense of Holm, took her down, found the back and cinched up a rear-naked choke for the incredible comeback victory.

Tate is your new women’s Bantamweight champion (we’re saying that a lot these days), while Holm is ousted after she notched an upset of her own over “Rowdy” back in Nov. 2015.

Miesha Tate was on top of the world following her win over Jessica Eye last July, which marked her fourth win in a row and seemingly put her on top of the contenders list for a shot at the women’s bantamweight title.

The good news only compounded for Tate after Ronda Rousey dispatched Bethe Correia in less than a minute at their fight at UFC 190, further strengthening the logic that a third fight between the two rivals was in the works.

Even UFC president Dana White acknowledged that Rousey vs. Tate 3 was on the horizon after Tate’s last fight in July.

“She has worked her way back to Ronda Rousey,” White said at the post fight press conference.

Just as Tate was starting to prepare for another showdown with Rousey after twice falling to her in the past, the rug was pulled out from under her during a stunning announcement that was made on national television.

Miesha Tate Fighters Motivation

“My motivation is to fight for what? I’m not fighting for a participation ribbon. I’m fighting to be the champion”.

The UFC had opted to give undefeated former boxer Holly Holm the shot at Rousey instead but failed to even tell Tate that it was happening.

“I felt like I was at the top of the top after winning four straight fights in a row and getting another title shot and really feeling like I was ready for that. I was excited for that opportunity. Right away, I was back in the gym and I was unscathed in the fight with Jessica (Eye).

Then I found out I wasn’t getting the title shot and I was a little upset about that and the way that it was announced. I was super upset,” Tate told FOX Sports about the incident. “I just felt like I was never going to get another title shot so long as Ronda was the champion.”

The doldrums weren’t just Tate tasting sour grapes for getting passed over in favor of Holm receiving the title shot.

In fact, Tate stated at the time that calling it a career was a real option after the way her title shot disappeared and it seemed like she was always going to be on the outside looking in so long as Rousey was standing on top of the world.

“That was really hard for me to swallow,” Tate said. “That had me contemplating retirement even at one point, but not because I wasn’t able to compete at that high of a level but because I felt that maybe that door had shut for me in the eyes of the UFC.

“I didn’t know where I stood with that and how I could process those emotions and what my motivation would be if it’s not to become the best in the world. My motivation is to fight for what? I’m not fighting for a participation ribbon. I’m fighting to be the champion.”

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